Refrigerating apparatus



March 11, 1941. H. B. HULL REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1939 INVENTOR. /McX 3. f/mu..

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l//' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 1l, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS' tion of Delaware lpplication June 22, 1939, Serial No. 280,601 11 Claims. Ci. yS2-89) This invention relates to refrigeration and particularly to a refrigerating apparatus wherein foods stored in a refrigerated compartment thereof are treated.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved food storage apparatus in which the food products are treated and the air surrounding same is sterilized by benecial light rays such as ultra-violet radiation while at the same time maintaining the foods at a low temperature.

Another object of my invention is to provide a single lamp for the interior of a food storage compartment of a refrigerating apparatus which will serve the double purpose of emitting benetlcial light rays capable of treating foods in the compartment but normally of insufficient brilliancy for illuminating the compartment, which lamp can be rendered effective automatically for illuminating the interior of the food compartment. Y

A further object of my invention is to provide the food storage chamber of a refrigerating apparatus with a partition which divides the chamber into compartments to be maintained at different temperatures relative to one anotherY and wherein an ultra-violet lamp utilized for accomplishing the results of the preceding objects cooperates with the partition to form a part thereof and to emit its rays into both compartments.

-In carrying out the foregoing objects, it is a still further and more specic object of my invention to mount an u1tra-violet lamp normally of low brilliancy in a food storage compartment of a retrigerating apparatus and to provide means associated with the apparatus for increasing the brilliancy of the lamp to illuminate the interior of the food compartment which means. is rendered effective and ineffective automatically upon opening and closing the door affording access to the compartment.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent. from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerating apparatus having my invention embodied therein and showing the electrical circuits of the apparatus diagrammatically; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the cabinet of the apparatus taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing I have shown a refrigerator cabinet and a refrigerating system therefor of the type disclosed inthe copending application of Ralph K. Miller, Serial No. 224,786, led August 13, 1938, for the purpose of illustrating the present invention. My invention is particularly applicable to the refrigerating apparatus shown in the copending application identified and reference thereto for constructional details may be had since I may herein only briefly describe the apparatus. In Fig. 1 of the drawing there isa' refrigerating apparatus including a. cabinet ill having insulated Walls enclosing a cooling'chamberA provided with an access opening which is normally closed by a doorV Il. The 'cooling chamber of cabinet i0 is divided into upper andv lower food storage compartments I 2 and i4' respectively by a partition I5 which is adapted to substantially isolate the compartments from air circulation therebetween. An evaporator i6'I of a primary refrigerating system including a motor-compress' sor unit I1 anda condenser i8 is adapted to cool the upper food storage compartment. A secondary closed volatile refrigerant system hasfa refrigerant condensing portion 2| in thermal con# tact with evaporator i6 of the primary refrigerating system and is connected with a refrigerant evaporating portion 22 surrounding the Wall of the food storage compartment I4 and disposed in intimatethermal contact therewith. In the operation of the apparatus disclosed, the motor-compressor I1 of the primary refrigerating system is controlled by a control switch 24 actuated in response to temperature changes of the evaporator I6 by a thermostat bulb 26. The switch 24 controls the flow of electric current to motor-compressor unit il through Wires 28, 29 and 30 leading to a power supply main. Operation of motor-compressor il compresses refrigerant in the primary refrigerating system and forwards the compressed refrigerant under pressure through a pipe 3i to the condenser i8. The compressed refrigerant is cooled and liqueed in condenser I8 and is circulated through a pipe 32 and a suitable restrictor or expansion valve (not shown) to the evaporator I6. Refrigerant evaporates within evaporator i6 to remove heat from the upper food storage compartment i2 and the vaporized refrigerant is conveyed back to the motor-compressor unit i1 through a gaseous refrigerant pipe 23. Operation of the primary refrigerating system causes refrigerant sealed in the closed secondary refrigeratlng system to condense in the condenser portion 2i thereof and now to the evaporating portion 22. The liquid refrigerant in the secondary refrigerating system removes heat fromthe food compartment I4 and in so doing'evaporates and flows to the condenser 2| wherein it is again condensed and liquefied. In this manner, upper food storage compartment I2 is maintained at a lower temperature than the bottom compartment I4. The partition I5 serves to restrict air circulation between the food storage compartments l2 and I4 or to substantially close of'the lower compartment i4 from evaporator I6 and consequently the air in compartment I4 is moist as compared to the air in the upper compartment I2.` The primary evaporator I6 normally operates below freezing temperatures, say for example F., in order to free'ze water, placed in trays that are inserted into the evaporator, into ice cubes or blocks. This low average temperature of evapoamount of cooling surface 22 of the secondary..Y

refrigerating system provided for the lower compartment I4 with respectto its condensing portion 2|, the secondary lcircuit may operate at a `relatively higher temperature than the primary evaporator [6to Ycool the compartment I4 to a temperature of between 35 and 45F., and consequently this higher average temperature of compartment I4 maintains the air therein at a high relative humidity. kThe low temperature in compartment |2 causes moisture in the air therein to condense and accumulate in the form of frost or ice on the primary evaporator I5. Thus, the air in compartment I2 is substantially dry as in conventional refrigerators, The relatively higher temperature of the cooling surfaces of compartment I4 is above the point lat which moisture will be withdrawn from lthe air in compartment I 4 and consequently makes possible the maintenance qf a high relative humidity in this higher temperature compartment. The parts of the apparatus thus far described and their function is substantially identical With-the apparatus disclosed in the copendingapp'lication above referred to. f

Apparatuses of the type described are ordinarily provided with'an illuminating lamp which is rendered effective by a switch operated bythe door of the refrigerator cabinet which provides access to the food storage compartment. Such lamps Vare rendered effective upon opening the door to illuminate the interior of the cabinet for facilitating the withdrawal from the refrigerator of the particular foods desired to be removed by the user. My invention is directed specifically to the provision in refrigerating apparatuses of a lamp which will emit beneficial rays for treating foods stored therein and which is rendered effective, upon opening the refrigerator cabinet door, to serve as an illuminating lamp to thus eliminate the necessity of providing a separate or additional lamp for illuminating purposes.,. In the present disclosure I have shown an ultraviolet lamp 4I mounted in a receptacle'42 secured to the rear Wall of the cooling chamber of cabinet I0. 'I'he ultra-violet lamp 4I is located on subtition I5 is also provided about its peripheraly edges with a resilient or flexible gasket 44 which seals against lamp 4I, cabinet door II and walls of the cooling chamber to thereby isolate the food storage compartments I2 and I4 from air circulation therebetween. Thus, lamp 4I forms a part of the partition I5 and its location permits same to emit its rays into both compartments I2 andv I4. The ultra-violet lamp 4I has a wire 46 extending from the receptacle 42 and connected to wire 28.0f the electrical circuit for the refrigerating machine. Another wire 41 extends from the lamp 4I and its receptacle 42 and isconnected to one end ofa resistance element 48 having a wire 49 extending from its opposite end and connected to the wire 30 of the power circuit. Thus, the resistor element 48 is connected in series relation with wires 41 and 49 of the one power line leading to lamp 4I; Lamp 4I is of low wattage, say for example one watt, by virtue of the use of the resistor 48 and is continuously effective during `use of the refrigerating machine irrespective of whether or not the circuit to the motor-compressor unit II is open or closed. The ultraviolet lamp 4I is of a type and construction which ...can have its brilliancy increased from one watt to, say for example, 8 or 10 watts and I therefore provide means for increasing the wattage ofther lamp. This means includes a switch preferably of aconventlon construction or type to be operated by movement of the refrigerator cabinet door and comprises'a stationary contact 5I and a movable contact 52. Contact. 52 is connected to the resistor 48 intermediate its ends by a Wire 53 and contact 5I is connected by a Wire 54 to Wire49 at one end of the resistor 48. That portion of the electric circuit for lamp 4I comprising the switch contacts 5I and 52 and wires 53 and 54 is thus connected in parallel circuit relation with the one power line leading to the lamp. Contact 5 2 is normally held by the cabinet door I I, when said door is in closed position, in spaced relation-to contact 5Iy to render the entire resistance of the resistor element 48 effectiveto maintain or limit the electric current owing to lamp 4| to one watt. Thus, as long as the cabinet door II'is closed the lamp 4I is effectivefand emits beneficial rays s uch las ultra-violet radiation within the cooling chamber of cabinet Il. By virtue of locating the lamp 4I ony the same horizontal plane with the partition I5, so that the lamp forms a part of this partition and is exposed to both compartments I2 and I4, the rays therefrom will be vdirected into both the upper and lower food storage compartments. Foods stored in the food compartments I2 and I4 will be treated by the radiation from lamp 4| during refrigeration thereof and the ultra-violet radiation, particularly the invisible rays thereof, causes the action of bacteria and the like to be arrested and kills or renders microrganisms dormantwhereby the foods will be purified and properly preserved. In addition, the ultra-violet radiation sterilizes the air about the refrigerated foods and reduces odors in the foodcompartment to thereby prevent odors from being transferred from one variety of foods to others.

The ultra-violet lamp is a mercury vapor electric lamp and its glass enclosing bulb has a part of its interior surface coated with a suitable fiuorescent material. For' example, a powder mixture of zinc oxide, silicon dioxide and from .1 to .5% manganese which is placed in water and sprayed into the bulb and thenk permitted to dry is satisfactoryfor producing a fiuorescent coating on the interior wall of the lamp bulb. The fluorescence of this coating on the bulb of the ultraviolet lamp causes the lamp, when its brilliancy is increased from 1 to 8 or 10 watts, to emit visible white-like rays of an illuminating nature. The visible or white-like rays obtained from the uorescence of this coating on the bulb of ultraviolet lamp has been found toincrease the illuminating eifect of the lamp to a point equal to the illuminating effect obtained from an ordinary 20-watt light bulb. Thus, when the brilliancy of the ultra-violet lamp is increased from 1 to 8 or 10 watts, Very little heat lis generated within the food storage compartments and yet the visible white-like rays o f the lamp is sufficient to light up the interior of the compartments with a brilliancy substantially equal to that obtained from an ordinary 20-watt light bulb. This fact plays an important part in the present invention in making possible the elimination of provision for an illuminating lamp in the refrigerator.

When the door Il of cabinet I is opened the spring tension of contact 52, or any other suitable means for moving contact 52. in the door switch will cause this contact to move over against contact l. Closing of contacts 5l and 52 shunts out a part of the resistor 48 and increases the ow of electric current to lamp 4I to thereby increase the wattage of the lamp and consequently the brilliancy thereof. The fluorescent coating on a part of the interior of the ultraviolet lamp bulb becomes effective under the increased wattage or current consumption of the lamp to thereby substantially double the brilliancy or illuminating character thereof to illumnate the interior of the food storage compartments I2 and Il. Contact 52 will move away from contact 5I upon closing of the cabinet door il and the entire resistance capacity of resistor 48 will again be rendered eiective for limiting the flow of electric current to lamp Il to thereby restrict the current consumption of the lamp to one watt and to continue treatment of the foods within the compartments I2 and I4 and air therein with ultra-violet radiation and particularly invisible ultra-violet rays. The low wattage of lamp 4| is suiiicient to properly treat the foods and insures against overtreating same. Thus, I have provided a single lamp Within a refrigerated chamber which treats foods therein and also serves as an illuminating lamp. By virtue of the location of the ultra-violet lamp as herein disclosed both food storage compartments on each side of the partition receive rays from the lamp and I thereby eliminate thenecessity of providing a lamp for each compartment either for treating foods or for illuminating the compartments.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a food storage compartment therein', said compartment being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, means for cooling said food storage compartment, an ultra-violet lamp associated with said cabinet and adapted to emit its rays into said compartment for treating foods stored therein and for sterilizing air within said compartment, an electric circuit for said lamp associated with said apparatus, means in series with said lamp circuit for limiting the flow of electric current to said lamp, means disposed in parallel circuit relation with said electric circuit and having a connection with a portion of said second named means for modifying the vlimiting' effect thereof to increase the brilliancy of said lamp, said last named means being normally ineffective and rendered effective automatically by movement of said food compartment door, and said lamp having a fluorescent material on a part thereof for causing same to produce an illumihating effect within said compartment during the time the brilliancy of said lamp is increased.

2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a chamber therein, said chamber being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, a partition dividing said chamber into a plurality of food storage compartments, a lamp disposed in the same plane with said partition and forming a part thereof whereby said lamp emits its rays into both of said compartments, saidpartition having a gasket extending around the edges thereof and engaging said door, said lamp and walls of said chamber to substantially isolate said food storage compartments from air circulation therebetween, means for cooling one of said food storage compartments, and means for cooling the other of said food storage compartments, said last vnamed means including a portion in intimate thermal contact with said first named means and another portion in heat exchange relation'with the interior of said other compartment.

3. A refrigerating apparatus comprising. in combination, a cabinet having a chamber therein, said chamber being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, a partition dividing said chamber into upperVV and lower food storage compartments, a, lamp disposed in the same horizontal plane with said partition and forming a part thereof whereby said lamp emits its rays into both the upper and lower food compartments, said partition having a gasket extending around the edges thereof and engaging said door, said lamp and walls of said chamber to substantially isolate said food storage compartments from air circulation therebetween, means for cooling the upper of said food storage compartments, and means for cooling the lower of said food storage compartments, said last named means including a portion in intimate thermal contact with said iirst named means and another portion in heat exchange relation with the interior of said lower compartment.

4. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having -a chamber therein, said chamber being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, a partition dividing said chamber into a plunality of food storage compartments, a lamp disposed in the same plane with said partition and forming a part thereof whereby said lamp emits its rays into both of said compartments, said partition having a gasket extending around the edges thereof and engaging said door, said lamp and walls of said chamber to substantially isolate said food storage compartments from air circulation therebetween, means for cooling said food storageY compartments,- an electric circuit for said lamp associated with said apparatus, said electric circuit including means for limiting the flow of electriccurrent to said lamp, said electric circuit also including means for modifying the limiting effect of said second named means, and said last named means being normally ineffective and rendered effective automatically by movement of said food compartment door.

5. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a chamber therein, said chamber being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, a partition dividing said chamber into a plurality of food storage compartments, a lamp disposed in the same plane with said partition and forming a part thereof whereby said lamp emits its rays into both of said rcircuit also including4 a switch having a connection `with said resistance element for rendering a part thereof ineffective to limit flow of electric current to said lamp, and said switch being normally ineffective and rendered effective automatically by movement of said food compartment door.

. 6. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a chamber therein,

said chamber being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, a partition dividing said chamber into -upper and lower food storage compartments, an ultra-violet lamp disposed ,in the same horizontal plane with said partition and formingV a part thereof whereby said lamp emits its rays into both the upper and lower food compartments for treating foods stored therein and for sterilizing air within said vcompartments, said partition having a Vgasket extending aroundl the edges thereof and engaging .said door, said lamp and walls of said chamber to substantially isolate said food storage cornpartments from air circulation therebetween,

.means for cooling' said food storage compartments, an electric circuit for said lamp associated with said apparatus, means in series with said lamp circuit for limiting the flow of electric current to said lamp, means disposed in parallel circuit relation withsaid electric circuit and having a connection with a portion of said second named means formodifying the limiting effect thereof, and said'last named means being normally ineffective and rendered effective automaticallysby movement of said food compartment door. Y

7. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a food storage compartment therein, said compartment being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, means for cooling said food storage compartment, a lamp associa-ted with said cabinet and adapted vto emit its rays into said compartment, an electric circuit for said lamp associated with said apparatus, said electric circuit including means for limiting the flow of electric current to said lamp, said electric circuit also including means for modifying the limiting eii'ect of said second named means, said last named means being normally ineffective and rendered Veffective automatically by movement of said food compartment door, and said lamp being of a type capable of y, emitting ultra-violet rays during eifectiveness of said limiting means and of illu- Aminating the food compartment when said modifying means is rendered effective.

8. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a food storage compartment therein, said compartment being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, means for cooling said food storage compartment, a lamp associated with said cabinet and adapted to emit its rays into said compartment, an electric circuit for said lamp associated with said apparatus, said electric circuit including a resistance element which limits the flow of electric current to said lamp, said electric circuit also including a switch having a connection with said resistance element for rendering a part thereof ineifective to limit ow of electric current to said lamp, Said switch being normally ineiective and rendered effective automatically by movement of said food compartment door, and said lamp being of a type capable of emitting ultra-violet rays during effectiveness of the resistance element and of illuminating the food compartment when said switch is rendered effective to render a part of said resistance element ineffective.

9. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having a food storage compartment therein, said compartment being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, means tor cooling'said food storage compartment, a lamp associated with said cabi` net and adapted to emit its rays into said compartment,.an electric circuit for said lamps associated with said apparatus, means in series with said lamp -circuit for limiting the iow of v electric current to said lamp, means disposed in Vparallel circuit relation with said electric circuit and having a connection with a portion of said second named means for modifying the limiting effect thereof, said last named means being normally ineective and rendered effective automatically by movement of said food compartment door, and said lampbeing of a-type capable of emitting ultra-violet rays during effectiveness of said limiting means for treating foods stored in said compartment for sterilizing air therein and of illuminating the fod compartment when 'said modifying means is rendered effective.

10. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a cabinet having -a chamber therein, said chamber being provided with an access opening normally closed by a door, a. partition cooperating with walls of the chamber and with said door for dividing said chamber into a plurality of food storage compartments, means for cooling said compartments to diierent tem,- peratures relative to one another, and a lamp disposed in the' same plane with said partition and forming a part thereof whereby said lamp emits its rays into both of said compartments.

1l. A refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, acabinet having a plurality of walls forming a chamber theein, said chamber being provided with an access opening normally said chamber, at least aportion of saidlamp being disposed in the plane of said partition and received in the opening therein whereby the lamp forms a part of said partition and emits its rays into the food storage compartments on each side thereof, and means for cooling said plurality of y food compartments.

HARRY B. HULL. 

